Link to Season Outlook from January

 

My 1st Half Report and 2nd Half Outlook

 

I usually only do an outlook before the year, but I feel as if an outlook for the 2nd Half is needed this season.

 

The First Half of the 2003 Season

 

The Florida Marlins went 49-46 in the first half of 2003. Right in the thick of things in the Wild Card Race. The biggest change of the first half would have to be the managerial change. Jeff Torborg went out and Jack McKeon went in.

 

A change was needed and McKeon who is a proven winner was the man for the job. Since, taking over -- the Marlins are 33-25. Under Jeff Torborg, the Marlins were 16-21 and were fading quickly from Wild Card contention.

 

Now while the biggest change was Jack McKeon's hiring -- the biggest thing to happen to the Marlins in the 1st half was the promotion of Dontrelle "D-Train" Willis. Up from AA, Carolina -- Willis made an impact immediately on not only the Florida Marlins but on Major League Baseball.

 

Willis was not selected to the 2003 National League All Star Team at first but did get added as an injury replacement for Kevin Brown when he went down due to an injury. Dontrelle's unique windup put people in the seats at the Pro and is helping to achieve this year's slogan of Getting back in the game.

 

Besides, Dontrelle Willis -- the Marlins also promoted Miguel Cabrera during the season from AA, Carolna. Now, while Cabrera has not achieved the same star power as Willis -- he has shown potential and has played a key role in several games this season in the field and at the plate.

 

Mike Lowell, Luis Castillo, and Dontrelle Willis were the Marlins representatives in Chicago for the All Star Game. A case could've been made for Alex Gonzalez as well who went .288 with 12 homers and 53 RBI's.

 

Juan Pierre was a great addition to the Marlins in the 1st half. A catalyst for the offense and a key player in many games. Todd Hollandsworth struggled in the 1st half and lost his starting job. He has been a help in some situations though off the bench and he did have some good moments while he was a starter.

 

The Marlins also had their downpoints in the first half. A.J. Burnett was lost for the remainder of this season and parts if not all of the 2004 season as well. Josh Beckett went a dissapointing 3-4 and a 3.86 ERA. He was injured for parts of the 1st half but this is not the type of numbers a guy who is one of our top stars should be achieving.

 

Vladimir Nunez struggled thru 2 stints in the major leagues before being vanquished to the Isotopes in AAA. Justin Wayne spend some time in the majors but also went back to AAA after going 0-2 with a 11.81 ERA. Armando Almanza has managed to keep his job in the major leagues despite having a 4-5 record with a 4.65 ERA.

 

The Marlins acquired Ugueth Urbina right before the All Star Break in exchange for prospects. Uggy brings experience and proven ability to a bullpen that could really use some.

 

Outlook for the 2nd Half of the 2003 Season

 

The Florida Marlins have a legitimate shot to make the playoffs this season. I am not backing down from my original Wild Card prediction. I, will however lower my expectations of the Marlins record. I am willing to now project a 91-71 record which will capture the Wild Card for the Marlins.

 

I'd like to see the Marlins pick up a couple of guys for the bench to help out. The current bench is lacking with the likes of Banks, Mordecai, Hollandsworth, Castro, and Fox. If we want to have a serious chance, we need to have something to depend on sitting on that wooden bench. Someone with the makings of a John VanderWal of yesteryear. A Dave Berg type guy who hits in the clutch.

 

Whether or not, the Marlins try and upgrade the LF spot before the deadline is anyone's guess but if not -- Miguel Cabrera should be able to do the job sufficiently enough. He brings excitement and youth to an already young team. Hopefully he can also bring the production we need.

 

As far as pitching goes -- Beckett's stats have been lower than expected but, I see Beckett being a big contributor in the 2nd half provided he stays injury free. We need him to be, and I really have a feeling he will be a key to our playoff run. Mark Redman has been having a great year at 7-4 with a 3.26 ERA. I see him conitnuing this great work. Dontrelle Willis barring some unprecedented collapse will be the ace of the staff and an almost guaranteed win every 5 days -- granted he gets the run support he needs.

 

Whatever happens -- the Marlins are exciting again and from a fan who has been there through the good and the tons of bad, I am damn proud to say I am a Florida Marlins fan. You should be just as proud.

 

LETS GO FISH!

Killer outlook, Lar. I wish I were in So Fla right about now so I could feel for myself what I've been told is a genuine buzz in the air surrounding my Fishies. I'll continue to check the games online - and this Sunday I'll actually be able to see Dontrelle pitch on tv against the Cubs and show up Dusty again.

 

Let's see if Redman can get another CG victory tonight, and get our 2nd half off to a good start. I'll be wearing my old Conine t-shirt this weekend, to channel the spirit of better days (here again?).

 

GO FISHIES!

Great work Admin.

 

Your time was well spent on it.

 

You might want to change that Wildcard prediction though :mischief

JK

Rune...

 

Phillies better watch their backs... :whistle :shifty

Phillies better watch their backs... :whistle :shifty

Yep! :w00t

Terrific post Admin, kudos. 91 wins sounds awful good to us perrenially frustrated Marlins fans.

The Marlins needs help on the bench, left field and from the left side in the pen.

 

 

Cabrera is not ready. He was not ready when called up, he is not ready today; the organization was hoping for lightning in a bottle twice. He needs to be in AAA, period.

 

 

The left side of hte relief corps are shaky at best. Unfortunately there are few reliable left handed relievers available. The Marlins need to hope for their leftys to figure it out.

 

On the bench there is talent available all over hte majors, can be had for the right price.

 

 

I would like to see Abe Nunez called up for Cabrera. Give him a chance throughout July, then make a move if need be for other talent. You ahve about 2 weeks. That might be enough time to figure out if Nunez could handle the job.